Spring loaded shelf for an oven appliance

ABSTRACT

A shelf assembly is provided with a spring-assisted shelf for an oven appliance. A spring is placed into tension as the oven door is closed and the oven shelf is slid towards the rear of the oven cavity. As the door is opened, the spring retracts so as to cause the oven shelf to slide forward at least partially out of the oven cavity. The shelf assembly is vertically adjustable and can be removed from the oven cavity for repositioning at another height therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to ashelf or rack for an oven appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oven appliances typically include one or more shelves or racks for thesupport of food items and cooking utensils having food items. Forexample, oven appliances conventionally include one or more shelves orracks whereby multiple food items can be placed into the oven forcooking operations. In order to access a food item or utensil placed onthe shelf, the user opens the door and reaches into the oven. The usermay also desire to slide the shelf out of the oven cavity to improveaccess to the food item. For example, the user may want to cut ormeasure the temperature of a food item at the rear of the oven shelf,which can require sliding the shelf forward.

A problem with accessing the rear of the shelf can be exacerbated withsmaller oven cavities. For example, an oven may be provided with acavity having a relatively short height for use in cooking flatter foodssuch as pizza, breads, or others. Reaching the back of the shelf may notbe possible unless the shelf slides forward.

For certain conventional ovens, sliding a shelf out of the oven can bedifficult. For example, the shelf may be constructed from a rack made ofelongated rods that must slide on metal features protruding from thewalls of the oven cavity. The friction between these parts may not beconducive to sliding the shelf.

In order to accommodate food items and cooking utensils of differentsizes, a typical construction includes horizontal protrusions formeddirectly into the side walls of the oven cavity on which the shelvesrest and from which the shelves can be can be removed. The shelves andprotrusions are designed so that the user can remove the shelf from theprotrusions at one vertical level and reinstall the shelf at a differentvertical level, which the user may select based on e.g., the height ofthe food items and utensils, the number of items being cooked, the typeof food being cooked, and/or other factors.

Accordingly, a shelf assembly that can be more readily slid out of anoven cavity while still supporting the food item would be useful. Ashelf that automatically slides at least partially out of the ovencavity as the door is opened would be particularly beneficial. Such ashelf assembly that can be readily removed for vertical adjustabilitywithin the oven cavity would also be very useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a shelf assembly with a spring-assistedshelf for an oven appliance. A spring is placed into tension as the ovendoor is closed and the oven shelf is slid towards the rear of the ovencavity. As the door is opened, the spring retracts so as to cause theoven shelf to slide forward at least partially out of the oven cavity.The shelf assembly is vertically adjustable and can be readily removedfrom the oven cavity (e.g., without tools or deconstruction) forrepositioning at another height therein. Additional aspects andadvantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the followingdescription, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learnedthrough practice of the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a removableshelf support assembly for an oven appliance. The oven applianceincludes a door for access to a cavity having a pair of opposing sidewalls. The oven defines vertical, lateral, and transverse directionsthat are orthogonal to each other. The removable shelf support assemblyincludes a shelf having a pair of opposing sides for positioning nearthe opposing side walls and a pair of slide assemblies. At least one ofthe slide assemblies includes a base assembly that is removablysupported on one of the opposing side walls of the oven appliance, thebase assembly removable from the oven appliance by sliding along thetransverse direction. A slide is supported by the base assembly and isattached to one of the opposing sides of the shelf. The slide is movablealong the transverse direction relative to the base assembly whereby theshelf can be selectively moved along the transverse direction in and outof the appliance. A tension spring has a first end connected with theshelf and a second end connected with the base assembly. The first andsecond end are positioned so that the spring is in tension when the dooris shut and causes the shelf to slide at least partially out of the ovencavity as the door is opening.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an ovenappliance defining vertical, lateral, and transverse directions that areorthogonal to each other. The oven appliance includes an oven bodydefining an oven cavity for the receipt of food items for cookingoperations, the cavity having a pair of opposing side walls, the cavityhaving an opening positioned near a front of the oven body. A doorprovides for selectively closing the opening to the cavity of the ovenbody. A removable shelf is provided having a pair of opposing sides thatare separated along the lateral direction. The shelf is slidable in andout of the cavity.

The oven appliance includes a pair of slide assemblies. Each slideassembly includes a base assembly that is removably supported on one ofthe opposing side walls. The base assembly is removable from theappliance by sliding along the transverse direction. A slide issupported by the base assembly and is attached to one of the opposingsides of the shelf. The slide is movable along the transverse directionrelative to the base assembly whereby the shelf can be selectively movedalong the transverse direction in and out of the appliance. A tensionspring is provided having a first end connected with the shelf and asecond end connected with the base assembly. The first and second endsare positioned so that the spring is stretched as the door is closed andretracts as the door is opened so as to cause the shelf to contact thedoor and slide at least partially out of the oven cavity.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an oven applianceof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 with a doorshown in a partially opened state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a shelfsupport assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the exemplary shelf supportassembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exemplary shelf support assembly shown inFIG. 3 with a shelf shown in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is another side view of the exemplary shelf support assemblyshown in FIG. 3 with a shelf shown in the open of extended position.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the front and bottom of theexemplary shelf support assembly shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 8 is a close up and partial perspective view of the front andbottom of a portion of the exemplary shelf support assembly shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a close up and partial perspective view of a portion of theexemplary shelf support assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a shelfsupport assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 11 provides a partial top view of the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of an oven 100according to the present invention is shown. FIG. 1 provides a frontview of oven 100 while FIG. 2 provides a side view. Oven 100 includes anoven body 102 defining an oven cavity 104 for the receipt of food itemsand utensils for cooking operations. A vertically adjustable andremovable shelf support assembly 200 is shown positioned in oven cavity104.

Shelf support assembly 200 includes a rack or shelf 202. As used herein,“shelf” and “rack” are not limited to an assembly of elongated wire orrods 208 (e.g., FIG. 3) and includes shelves constructed from othermaterials such as expanded metal and others. Accordingly, “rack” and“shelf” (and the plural forms thereof) are used interchangeably herein.Also, as will be understood by one of skill in the art using theteachings disclosed herein, oven 100 with cooktop 124 is provided by wayof example only. The shelf support assembly 200 of the present inventionmay be used in other types of oven appliances with differentconfigurations such as e.g., wall ovens, double ovens, and others.

Oven 100 includes a door 108 with handle 110 that provides for openingand closing access to oven cavity 104 through an opening 106 at thefront of cavity 104. A user of the appliance 100 can place a variety ofdifferent items to be cooked (including utensils) in oven cavity 104 andonto shelf 202, which has a pair of opposing sides 204 that arepositioned near opposing side walls 112. Cavity 104 is defined by a pairof opposing side walls 112, bottom wall 114, top wall 116, and rear wall118 that extends laterally (lateral direction L) between opposing sidewalls 112. Multiple shelf assemblies 200 can be positioned within cavity104 (only one assembly 200 is shown). Shelf assembly 200 is supported ona pair of protrusions 136 formed integrally with opposing side walls112. Multiple pairs of protrusions 136 are shown at different heightsalong vertical direction V for support of one or more shelf assemblies200 at different vertical locations. As such, shelf assembly 200 isreadily removable from oven cavity 104 for repositioning and cleaningwithout having to use special tools or damaging oven cavity 104. Forpurposes of reference in further describing the invention, it will beunderstood that oven appliance 100 defines vertical directions V,lateral directions L, and transverse directions T that are orthogonal toeach other.

One or more heating elements 120 can be positioned e.g., at the top 116of chamber or cavity 104 to provide heat for cooking and cleaning. Suchheating element(s) can be e.g., gas, electric, microwave, or acombination thereof. Other heating elements can be located at the bottom114 of chamber 104 as well. A window 122 on door 108 allows the user toview e.g., food items during the cooking process. For purposes ofcooling, oven 100 may equipped with an inlet that allows for an inflowof ambient air into a ventilation system and a vent that allows for theoutflow of such air after it has been heated by oven 100.

Oven 100 includes a user interface 128 having a display 130 positionedon top panel 132 with a variety of controls 134. Interface 128 allowsthe user to select various options for the operation of oven 100including e.g., temperature, time, and/or various cooking and cleaningcycles. Operation of oven appliance 100 can be regulated by a controller(not shown) that is operatively coupled i.e., in communication with,user interface panel 128, heating element(s), and other components ofoven 100 as will be further described.

For example, in response to user manipulation of the user interfacepanel 128, the controller can operate one or more heating element(s).The controller can receive measurements from a temperature sensor (notshown) placed in oven cavity 104 to e.g., provide a temperatureindication to the user with display 130. By way of example, thecontroller may include a memory and one or more processing devices suchas microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purposemicroprocessors operable to execute programming instructions ormicro-control code associated with operation of appliance 100. Thememory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read onlymemory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executesprogramming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separatecomponent from the processor or may be included onboard within theprocessor.

The controller may be positioned in a variety of locations throughoutappliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller may belocated under or next to the user interface 128 or otherwise within toppanel 132. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals arerouted between the controller and various operational components ofappliance 100 such as heating element(s), controls 134, display 130,sensor(s), alarms, and/or other components as may be provided. In oneembodiment, the user interface panel 182 may represent a general purposeI/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block.

Although shown with touch type controls on interface 128 and knobs forcontrols 134, it should be understood that such are provided by way ofexample only. More specifically, user interface 128 and/or top panel 132may include various input components, such as one or more of a varietyof electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices includingrotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface 128 mayinclude other display components, such as a digital or analog displaydevice designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The userinterface 128 may be in communication with the controller via one ormore signal lines or shared communication busses.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the exemplary oven appliance of FIG. 1into which an exemplary embodiment of the removable shelf supportassembly 200 has been incorporated. During the opening of door 100, theuser pulls handle 110 which causes door 100 to rotate about a pivotpoint P where door 100 is connected by a hinge or similar device to ovenbody 102. As door 100 opens (arrow O) to allow access to cavity 104through opening 106, shelf support assembly 200 causes shelf 202 toslide along the transverse direction T (arrow R) so that shelf 202 movesat least partially out of the oven cavity 104 as door 108 is opened. Inone exemplary embodiment, shelf 202 actually contacts door 108 for apredetermined distance of travel along the transverse direction T asdoor 108 is opening. The movement of shelf 202 against door 108 isprovided by at least one tension spring 214 (shown in e.g., FIG. 4 anddiscussed again below) that retracts so as to reduce its tension as door108 is opened.

As door 100 is closed (arrow C) to cover opening 106 in oven body 102,shelf 202 is contacted by door 100 and caused to slide along transversedirection T (arrow S). This movement continues until door 100 is fullyclosed. The movement of door 100 stretches at least one tension spring214—thereby loading tension spring 214 or placing it in tension so thattension spring 214 can again cause shelf 202 to extend when door 100 isreopened.

For this exemplary embodiment, shelf support assembly 200 includes apair of slide assemblies 206. Each slide assembly 206 is positionedalong one of the opposing sides 204 of shelf 202. Referring now to FIG.1 and FIGS. 3 through 6, each slide assembly 206 includes a baseassembly 210 that is removably supported by one of the opposing sidewalls 112 of oven 100. More particularly, base assemblies 210 areconnected with support frame 240 that removably rests on protrusions 136formed in opposing side walls 112. Shelf support assembly 200 isremovable from the respective sidewall 112 of the oven cavity 104 bysliding along transverse direction T.

Each slide assembly 206 also includes a slide 212 that is supported by arespective base assembly 210. Each slide 212 is attached to one of theopposing sides 204 of shelf 202. Slide 212 is movable along transversedirection T relative to base assembly 210 so that shelf 202 can beselectively moved or slid in and out of cavity 104. More particularly,the position of each base assembly 210 (and, therefore, shelf supportassembly 200) is selectively fixed in cavity 104 by a releasable lock242 that holds the entire shelf support assembly 200 in place as slide212 moves in and out of cavity 104 along transverse direction T. In oneembodiment, ball bearings (not shown) are positioned between slide 212and base assembly 210 to facilitate the movement of slide 212 relativeto base assembly 210.

In this exemplary embodiment, each slide assembly 206 includes a tensionspring 212. As used herein, “tension spring” mean that when extended orpulled so as to lengthen the spring, the tension spring will act intension to provide a restorative force that attempts to pull the springback to its original, shorter length. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8,tension spring 212 has a first end 216 and a second end 218. First end216 and second end 218 are positioned on slide assembly 206 so that thetension spring 212 is in tension or is stretched when door 108 isclosed. Accordingly, first end 216 and second end 218 are spaced apartalong transverse direction T and are configured with slide assembly 206so as to move away from each other along transverse direction T whendoor 108 is closed. Conversely, when door 108 is opened, tension spring212 retracts and reduces tension by causing shelf 202 to slide at leastpartially out of cavity 104. By way of comparison, FIG. 5 is a side viewof shelf support assembly 200 in a closed positioned (i.e. when door 108is closed) and FIG. 6 is a side view of shelf support assembly 200 in anopen position (i.e. when door 108 is opened).

Turning now to FIGS. 4, 7, 8, and 9 each base assembly 210 defines afront 224 positioned near the door of the oven appliance and a back 226spaced apart along transverse direction T from door 108 and front 224.For this exemplary embodiment, second end 218 of tension spring 214 isconnected to base assembly 210 at a position near the front 224.

More specifically, each base assembly 210 includes a base element 228and a bracket 230. Each base element 228 is attached to a respectiveslide 212 while each bracket 230 is attached to one of the bases element228. Each bracket 230 defines a tab 220 that extends vertically upwardand is positioned under the base element 228. The second end 218 oftension spring 214 is attached to tab 220, which is located near a frontportion 236 of bracket 230 as shown. Notches 252 (FIG. 8) or otherfeatures on tab 220 help secure second 218 of tension spring 214.

The first end 216 of tension spring 214 is connected to a part of shelf202. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, shelf 202 includes a laterallyextending rod 250 having a pair of hook-shaped stops 234 positioned ateach of the opposing sides 204 of shelf 202. In addition to providing apoint of attachment for tension spring 214, stops 234 limit the amountof forward movement of shelf 202 acting under the force of the pair ofsprings 214. Referring to FIG. 9, when shelf 202 moves out of cavity 104(arrow R) along transverse direction T as door 108 is opened, stops 234contact the rear portions 238 of the pair of brackets 230. As shelf 202moves into cavity 104 (arrow O) along transverse direction T as door 108is closed, stops 234 move away from brackets 230 as tension springs 214are stretched or placed into increased tension.

In one exemplary embodiment, shelf 202 is provided with a features toprevent a cooking utensil 50 from sliding off shelf 202 as door 108 isopened. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, shelf 202 is equipped with a utensilstop 254. For this exemplary embodiment, stop 254 is formed from loops256 placed at the end of transversely oriented, elongated rods 208forming shelf 202. Loops 256 are provided by way of example only—otherconstructions forming stop 254 may be used as well.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of slideassemblies 206 shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 with tension springs 214located below bracket assemblies 210. Other configurations may be usedwhere tension springs 214 are located in different positions relative toshelf 202 and connected differently to shelf 202 and slide assemblies206. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another exemplaryembodiment in which each base assembly 210 defines a flange 232 that ispositioned laterally inside a respective slide 212. Each flange 232projects upwardly along vertical direction V and extends longitudinallyalong transverse direction T. Tension springs 248 are connected on eachside of shelf 202 with a first end 216 connected to shelf 202 and asecond end 218 connected to a tab 220 positioned on a front portion 258of flange 232. Other constructions may be used as well.

For the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the use of a pair oftension springs on each side of shelf 202 has been described. Using theteachings disclosed herein, it will be understood that in otherembodiments of the invention, more than two tension springs may be used.In addition, single or multiple tension springs along one side of shelf202 may be used as well. Accordingly, for example, the shelf supportassembly may include only one slide assembly configured as describedabove.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable shelf support assembly for an ovenappliance, the oven appliance including a door for access to a cavityhaving a pair of opposing side walls, the oven defining vertical,lateral, and transverse directions that are orthogonal to each other,the removable shelf support assembly comprising: a shelf having a pairof opposing sides for positioning near the opposing side walls; a pairof slide assemblies, at least one slide assembly comprising a baseassembly that is removably supported on one of the opposing side wallsof the oven appliance, the base assembly removable from the ovenappliance by sliding along the transverse direction; a slide that issupported by the base assembly and is attached to one of the opposingsides of the shelf, the slide movable along the transverse directionrelative to the base assembly whereby the shelf can be selectively movedalong the transverse direction in and out of the appliance; and atension spring having a first end connected with the shelf and a secondend connected with the base assembly, the first and second endpositioned so that the spring is in tension when the door is shut andcauses the shelf to slide at least partially out of the oven cavity asthe door is opening.
 2. The removable shelf support assembly for an ovenappliance as in claim 1, wherein the base assembly further comprises atab to which the second end of the tension spring is attached.
 3. Theremovable shelf support assembly for an oven appliance as in claim 2,wherein the first end and the second end of the tension spring arespaced apart along the transverse direction and are configured move awayfrom each other along the transverse direction as the shelf is pushedinto the oven cavity.
 4. The removable shelf support assembly for anoven appliance as in claim 3, wherein the base assembly defines a frontnear the door of the oven appliance and a back spaced apart along thetransverse direction from the door, and wherein the second end of thespring is connected to the base assembly at a position near the frontand the first end is connected to the shelf at a position near the backwhen the door is closed.
 5. The removable shelf support assembly for anoven appliance as in claim 1, wherein the base assembly furthercomprises a base element to which the slide is attached; a bracket towhich the base element is attached, the bracket defining a tab to whichthe second end of the tension spring is attached.
 6. The removable shelfsupport assembly for an oven appliance as in claim 5, wherein thebracket is configured such that the tab is positioned under the baseelement.
 7. The removable shelf support assembly for an oven applianceas in claim 5, wherein the shelf defines a pair of stops, each stoppositioned on one of the opposing sides of the shelf, at least one stopconfigured to contact the bracket to limit the movement of the shelfalong the transverse direction when the door is opened.
 8. The removableshelf support assembly for an oven appliance as in claim 7, wherein thetab is positioned near a front portion of the bracket, and wherein thestop is configured to contact a rear portion of the bracket.
 9. Theremovable shelf support assembly for an oven appliance as in claim 1,wherein the base assembly defines a flange positioned laterally insidethe slide and extending along the vertical direction, the base assemblyfurther comprising a tab extending from the flange and to which thesecond end of the tension spring is attached.
 10. The removable shelfsupport assembly for an oven appliance as in claim 1, furthercomprising: a support frame extending along the transverse directionbetween the opposing side walls of the cavity, the support frameremovably positioned upon the opposing side walls; and wherein the slideassemblies are mounted upon the support frame.
 11. An oven appliancedefining vertical, lateral, and transverse directions that areorthogonal to each other, the oven appliance comprising: an oven bodydefining an oven cavity for the receipt of food items for cookingoperations, the cavity having a pair of opposing side walls, the cavityhaving an opening positioned near a front of the oven body; a door forselectively closing the opening to the cavity of the oven body; aremovable shelf having a pair of opposing sides that are separated alongthe lateral direction, the shelf slidable in and out of the cavity; apair of slide assemblies, each slide assembly comprising a base assemblythat is removably supported on one of the opposing side walls, the baseassembly removable from the appliance by sliding along the transversedirection; a slide that is supported by the base assembly and isattached to one of the opposing sides of the shelf, the slide movablealong the transverse direction relative to the base assembly whereby theshelf can be selectively moved along the transverse direction in and outof the appliance; and a tension spring having a first end connected withthe shelf and a second end connected with the base assembly, the firstand second ends positioned so that the spring is stretched as the dooris closed and retracts as the door is opened so as to cause the shelf tocontact the door and slide at least partially out of the oven cavity.12. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein each base assembly furthercomprises a tab to which the second end of the tension spring isattached.
 13. The oven appliance of claim 12, wherein the first end andthe second end of the tension spring are spaced apart along thetransverse direction and are configured move away from each other alongthe transverse direction as the shelf is pushed into the oven cavity.14. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the base assembly defines afront near the door of the oven appliance and a back spaced apart alongthe transverse direction from the door, and wherein the second end ofthe spring is connected to the base assembly at a position near thefront and the first end is connected to the shelf at a position near theback when the door is closed.
 15. The oven appliance of claim 11,wherein each base assembly further comprises a base element to which theslide is attached; a bracket to which the base element is attached, thebracket defining a tab to which the second end of the tension spring isattached.
 16. The oven appliance of claim 15, wherein for each baseassembly the bracket is configured such that the tab is positioned underthe base element.
 17. The oven appliance of claim 15, wherein the shelfdefines a pair of stops, each stop positioned on one of the opposingsides of the shelf, each stop configured to contact the bracket to limitthe movement of the shelf along the transverse direction when the dooris opened.
 18. The oven appliance of claim 17, wherein the tab ispositioned near a front portion of the bracket, and wherein the stop isconfigured to contact a rear portion of the bracket.
 19. The ovenappliance of claim 11, wherein each base assembly defines a flangepositioned laterally inside the slide and extending along the verticaldirection, each base assembly further comprising a tab extending fromthe flange and to which the second end of the tension spring isattached.
 20. The oven appliance of claim 11, further comprising: asupport frame extending along the transverse direction between theopposing side walls of the cavity, the support frame removablypositioned upon the opposing side walls; and wherein the slideassemblies are mounted upon the support frame.